Bushido (literally “the way of the warrior”) is a centuries-old code of honor and moral values for the samurai of medieval and early-modern Japan It’s a complex set of ideals emphasizing courage, loyalty, self-discipline and righteous action. Bushido is sometimes called “Japan’s knightly code” and was historically applied by samurai to their behavior in battle.
The five best examples of Bushido in action are:
1. Courage: The first of the virtues of Bushido is courage. A samurai was expected to show courage on and off the battlefield, even when faced with overwhelming odds. The samurai was expected to die in honorable combat rather than retreat or surrender.
2. Loyalty: Loyalty to one's lord, family and friends was strictly adhered to by a samurai. This often meant sacrificing one's own needs and desires in order to remain loyal. Many samurai believed that if they betrayed their lord they would no longer have a place in Heaven after they died.
3. Respect: Respect was an important virtue of a samurai. Respect for one's elders was expected and expected to be shown not just to those of higher social status but also to those of lower social status. A samurai was also expected to show respect for those who had died in honorable service, even if they were the enemy.
4. Self-Discipline: Self-discipline was seen as essential in a samurai's life. This meant controlling one's emotions, from anger to sorrow, and exercising restraint. The samurai was expected to not act impulsively or take unnecessary risks.
5. Righteous Action: The samurai was expected to act in a righteous manner and to do what was right, even if it was against their own interests. A samurai was expected to stand up for what was right and to defend the weak and oppressed.
These five virtues of Bushido were closely followed and practiced by Japanese samurai throughout the centuries, and remain an integral part of Japanese culture today. Many of these values are still seen in modern Japanese society, and are seen as essential to a person's character.